The five hopefuls vying to become Abbotsford’s next MP were eager to win the war of words Wednesday, during a sometimes heated all-candidates debate in Matsqui Centennial Auditorium.

Sponsored by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce and Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, the quintet each took their turns to attempt to impress the crowd of approximately 250 who packed into the building.

A range of issues were tackled during the evening, including crime, the economy, property taxes, abortion, homelessness, the environment and marijuana legalization.

In the spotlight were Conservative Party candidate Ed Fast, NDP candidate Bonnie Rai, Green Party candidate Karen Durant, Liberal Dr. Lionel Traverse and Marijuana Party candidate Tim Felger.

Fast told the crowd that the Conservative government of the past two-and-a-half years had introduced “tough anti-crime laws” and measures to cut taxes.

He also said the government had supported seniors and families “in many different ways.”

Fast laid out his “proudest moment” so far as MP, in which he persuaded parliament to back his private member’s bill to double from five to 10 years the maximum prison sentence for someone luring a child over the internet for sexual purposes.

The two major issues facing Abbotsford, according to Fast, are crime and taxes.

“You want leadership and Stephen Harper is that leader,” he added.

Rai said the NDP is promoting universal health care, affordable post secondary fees and stronger labour laws.

She also said Canadians pay high ATM fees and “ridiculous” gas prices.

“This party has grown into a sophisticated voice representing Canadians at every level,” she said.

“We need to take care of our families first and reward corporations that put the interests of Canadians first.”

Rai also said the NDP has a “comprehensive housing plan” to provide new homes for low income people and people with special needs, as well as a plan to upgrade existing homes and provide homeless services.

Durant said that Canada needs a “healthy and sustainable environment,” as well as a “healthy economy and population.”

Transportation is a problem in Canada, according to Durant, who said that “vehicles do not have to run on fossil fuels.”

“There’s no excuse for poverty and homelessness in this country,” she added.

As a pediatrician in Abbotsford, Traverse said children are his passion.

“I have passionately treated and advocated for them for 22 years. I am well aware of what they need,” he said.

Traverse said he wants reforms to Medicare and also highlighted the Liberal Green Shift Policy, which he said would cut income taxes by 10 per cent and leave polluting businesses to foot the bill.

Felger described drug prohibition as the “causation of social problems.”

“Our economy is heading for the greatest depression ever,” he said.

“The economy will collapse within hours; that’s why Harper called the election.”

According to Felger, many crime issues can be tied to drug prohibition.

“The only one other time we have had such problems before is during times of alcohol prohibition . . . there’s no difference between alcohol prohibition and drug prohibition,” he said.

A question was pitched by the audience asking the candidates who would support marijuana legalization.

Felger and Durant said they would, while Fast, Rai and Traverse said they would not.

Fast was also asked why there was no federal money made available for Abbotsford’s three Plan A projects.

“Once local taxpayers have approved funding there’s no federal funding that will go to that,” said Fast. “The local city council did not even ask us for funding before the referendum.”

Perhaps the most heated moment of the night occurred between Fast and Traverse.

Fast was asked a question by the audience, in which it was alleged that food security and safety standards have deteriorated under the Conservative government.

It was also suggested that the government could have done more to stop a recent listeria outbreak in Toronto at Maple Leaf Foods.

Fast said the Conservatives had not cut food inspections, and “to suggest the listeria outbreak is the result of the government is ludicrous.”

Traverse said he had read in the Canadian Medical Journal that the deterioration of food inspection standards was at least partly responsible for the listeria outbreak.

“These are just lies, what can I say,” Traverse said of Fast’s comments.

Responding, Fast said Traverse’s “name calling” had “no place in the debate.”

He also said he was taking the “high road” by saying that he would be “ever grateful” to Traverse for diagnosing meningitis in one of his daughters nine years ago.

Traverse was not given the opportunity to respond back, but on Thursday offered an official public apology.

“During the all candidate debate on Oct. 1, I stated at one point that a comment Mr. Fast made was a liar,” Traverse stated in an email.

“I apologize for using this unfortunate term, and I would like to publicly state that I did not wish to offend him, and will ensure that this will not happen again.”